Strength, Courage, and Power of a Student Athlete

Every year I am involved in a college scholarship selection process for a graduating male student-athlete who wishes to continue their education and participation in athletics past high school.  Included on the application for consideration, is one very significant question, “What does being a student-athlete mean to you?”  This question always brings about the most interesting responses.

The essays have mentioned everything from the importance of “leadership and discipline” and the vital role that parents play in getting their children to practices and games to what seems to be a well-rehearsed “acceptance speech” directed to a particular coach (or coaches) for “always being there” and “showing them values and endless possibilities”.  There have even been those who feel that they can make anything happen and change the world because they have had successful academic and athletic high school careers; who use words like “strength, courage, and power” in their essays.  To all these athletes who apply, I say “congratulations on your personal athletic accomplishments”, but somehow I always feel like something’s missing.

When someone writes about STRENGTH, I don’t want to read about their physical strength.  I want to hear how “strength in numbers” has changed a traditionally unhealthy mindset on college campuses regarding the lack of respect and the end of violence against women.  I want to see how we are gaining a better understanding of how a student-athlete can impact a college campus in a positive way by using their strength to create a safer campus for everyone.    

         

When I see someone write about COURAGE, although it is wonderful to hear about how their fearlessness helped them overcome numerous sports-related and personal obstacles to get them to where they are today, I’d like to hear how that male student athlete used that courage to condemn perpetrators from carrying out acts of violent against females on campus.

And finally when I read an essay about POWER, I don’t  want to associate it with the prestige and almost celebrity status male student- athletes possess on campus and in the community, but rather to use their power to break down the barriers that limit our conversations for a culture free from gender-based violence.  Taking a stand against the “norms” of college campus life needs a powerful group and who better than the male student athletes who have the strength, courage and power to do just that? Hopefully this is what it takes to redefine for a student athlete what it means to have strength, courage, and power.

Written by Heather S, Education Specialist